'MGNREGA has increased pace of financial inclusion in our villages'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said MGNREGA has accelerated the pace of financial inclusion in villages, and accounts opened under the programme would help in the direct cash benefit transfer scheme of the government.

Speaking at the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) anniversary function in New Delhi, Manmohan Singh said that over four crore bank accounts have been opened after the implementation of the scheme, and many more have been started in post offices.

"These accounts will also help in the direct cash benefit transfer scheme," the prime minister said.

MGNERGA is one of the biggest poverty alleviation schemes in the world, he said.

In her address, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that there were some complaints about misuse of money under the scheme, and that needed to be curbed.

Gandhi said that there is a need for timely social audit.

"MGNREGA has potential to increase agricultural production and it can play a role in realising the aim of a second green revolution," Gandhi said.

MGNREGA jobs scheme aims at enhancing the livelihood security of villagers by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members would perform unskilled manual work.